Brian Jones: “On May 9 this year in an article in The Wall Street Journal--the title is ``Mission Accomplished''--the article stated…”

“On May 9 this year in an article in The Wall Street Journal--the title is ``Mission Accomplished''--the article stated al Qaeda is no longer based there in Afghanistan and the Taliban must be beaten by Afghans themselves. This is why it is the right time to support the McGovern amendment. It's a reasonable, balanced plan to bring our troops home from Afghanistan. Mr. Chairman, 2 weeks ago Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Palmer and Sergeant Kevin Balduf, two Marines from my district, were shot and murdered by an Afghan officer while trying to train the Afghans. Here are these two great men, fathers, trying to train the Afghans, and somebody within the training area kills them, murders them. Yes, let's keep staying there. It's all worthwhile. Mr. Chairman, the reason this amendment is so important is because Secretary Gates back in February at the Armed Services Committee made this statement. I am going to paraphrase it. That is why we believe that beginning in 2015--2015--the United States can, with minimal risk, begin reducing active duty end strength. 2015. To quote the retired Marine Corps general that I respect so much, and I didn't serve in the military, and I quote him, ``What do we say to the mother and father, the wife, of the last Marine or soldier killed to support a corrupt government and a corrupt leader?'' The American people are tired and fed up. But let me say more importantly than the American people are our military; they are tired and fed up.…”